In Saturday’s (11/17) Orlando Sentinel (Florida), Matthew J. Palm writes, “When Christopher Wilkins lifts his baton tonight to conduct the Orlando Philharmonic’s ‘Bronfman and Beethoven’ concert, it will be with mixed emotions. The orchestra’s board of directors has decided to replace Wilkins when his contract expires in the spring of 2014. ‘I’m wistful about what’s happened,’ said Wilkins, who became the Philharmonic’s second music director in 2006. ‘But I’m not really interested in looking back.’ Wilkins’ tenure has seen a dramatic increase in ticket sales as the Philharmonic grew from fewer than 1,500 subscribers five years ago to just under 4,000 this past season. He also played a major role in the Phil’s taking on opera production after Orlando Opera shut down in 2009. Wilkins, who is also music director of the Akron (Ohio) Symphony and the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, made it clear the decision to leave was not his. … Candice Crawford, president of the Philharmonic’s board, said the decision was not made lightly. ‘It would have been easy to stay with the tried-and-true. We have been blessed to have Chris Wilkins with us,’ Crawford said. ‘But the tradition in the world of orchestras is music directors change.’ The Philharmonic, which is celebrating its 20th-anniversary season, is looking beyond 2014, Crawford said.”
Posted November 19, 2012
